Pulley block for installing aerial cable



5 Sheets-ale 1 O. L. WALTER FUR INSTALLING May 26, 1964 Filed larch 29, 1962 IF INVENTOR By 0.L WALTER ATTORMY May 26, 1964 o. L. WALTER PULLEY BLOCK FOR INSTALLING AERIAL CABLE Filed March 29, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.3

IN VEN TOR By 0. L WALTER m 6 A TTORNEY May 26, 1964 o. L. WALTER mm BLOCK FOR INSTALLING AERIAL CABLE Filed larch 29, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 mvewron By O.L.WALTR v UR ATTORNEY 1964 o. L. WALTER m BLOCK MR MALI-INS CABLE Filed March 9, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTUR By 0.1..WALTER W IS 1G1;

ATTORNEY May 26, 1964 o. L. WALTER -PULLEY BLOCK FOR INSTALLING AERIAL CABLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 29, 1962 Pl? L IN l E N TOR By 0.L.W4LTER w 6 QM A T TORNE' Y United States Patent 3,134 575 PUI .LEY BLOCK FOR INSTALLING AERIAL CABLE Orville L. Walter, Maplewood, N.J., assignor to hell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New Yorh, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 29, 1962, Ser. No. 183,566 6 Claims. (Cl. 254-1343) This invention relates to the installation of aerial electrical cable, and, more particularly, to a pulley block for temporarily supporting the cable prior to its being lashed to the messenger or supporting strand.

In the installation of aerial cable, by the lashing method, wherein the cable is lashed to the supporting strand or messenger by having a heavy wire wrapped therearound, it has been common practice to position, at definite spaced intervals on the strand, means to temporarily support the cable in close proximity to the strand to enable the lashing wire to tightly encompass the strand and the cable.

Inasmuch as a winch line must first be threaded through the supports and the cable thereafter pulled therethrough, it is essential that these supports be latched on the strand to prevent their displacement as a result of the forces and vibration resulting from this activity. However, it is also necessary that these supports while being latched on the strand, as mentioned heretofore, be capable of being pushed along the strand ahead of the lashing machine as the lashing of the cable to the strand progresses, until the next pole is reached where they are subsequently removed by a workman on the pole.

The pulley block of this invention is intended to be placed in position on the supporting strand from the ground and latched to the strand by means of a suitable tool which may be attached to the handle of a tree pruner or the like. The novel structure of the pulley block of this invention prevents its accidental displacement from the strand, allows it to move freely longitudinally on the strand in one direction, as during lashing, but prevents it from moving longitudinally in the other direction, as during threading of the winch line and pulling of the cable. Its novel construction also permits it, when dimensioned for this purpose, to be used on a strand on which there is a previously lashed cable, to lash a second cable.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the following drawings, in which: I

FIG 1. is a fragmentary section of a pole line with the supporting blocks of this invention in position and supporting the cable to be lashed with the cable lashing machine pushing the supports ahead of it;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pulley block of this invention in position on the strand, supporting a fragment of cable, the block being locked in position by a cam which is in engagement with the strand, and having a constraining member or latching arm in position to prevent the displacement of the block from the strand;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2 and shows in dot and dash lines the cam in its disengaged position;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the pulley block shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the pulley block of this invention and illustrates the constraining member for preventing displacement of the block from the strand;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a suitable tool for placing the pulley block of this invention on the strand from a remote point, and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 with the tool of FIG. 6 shown in dot and dash lines and the latching means, for securing the block to the strand, in its unlatched position.

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a portion of a pole line comprising the poles 10 and 11 with a messenger or supporting strand 12 secured thereto by means of suitable clamps or attachments 13 and 14.

Mounted on the strand 12 and in spaced relation with each other are the pulley blocks PB of this invention for temporarily supporting the cable 15 while it is in the process of being lashed to the strand 12 by means of the lashing wire 16, which is lashed around both the strand and cable by means of the lashing machine LM, which is towed along the strand by means of the line 17.

As shown, there is provided between the front of the lashing machine LM and the first pulley block PB a cable guide CG to facilitate the feeding of the cable 15 into the lashing machine LM by virtue of its being secured to the line 17 by means of the auxiliary tow line 13. The cable guide CG also serves to push the pulley blocks PB along the strand 12 as the lashing'machine progresses to lash the cable to the strand. The pulley blocks PB will be pushed along the strand until they all accummulate at the next pole position where they are subsequently removed by a workman on the pole.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 and with particular reference to FIGS. 2, 3,4 and 5, the improved pulley block of this invention comprises a body member or frame BM constructed of suitable material and which may be a casting or otherwise fabricated.

The body member BM, which as shown, comprises a vertically extending arm portion 19 having a return bend portion 29 at its lower end, the free end 21 of which is in spaced relation with respect to the vertical arm 19.

Located at the upper end of the arm 19 and integral therewith is an extending T-shaped hanger portion 22 having extending arm portions 23 and 24 and having a brace 25 integral therewith and extending therebetween.

The arms 23 and 24 have an inverted V-shaped configuration, having an included angle of approximately degrees and have located at their apexes longitudinally extending aligned grooves 2e and 27 which are adapted to receive the strand 12 as shown.

Iournaled in the return bend portion 20 between the free end 21 and the arm H, by means of the spindle 28 is the cable supporting pulley 29. The pulley 29 comprises a tapered hub-shaped portion 30 and the spaced apart flanged side portions 31 and 32.

As shown in the various figures and with particular attention to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is pivotally mounted on the top portion of the pulley block assembly PB in alignment with the vertical arm 19' between the transversely extending arms 33 and 34 on the pin 35 a spring loaded cam or snubbing means 36. This cam is biased, as viewed in FIG. 2, in a counterclockwise direction by means of the spring 37.

The force applied to the cam 36 by means of the spring 37 causes the grooved tapered edge 38 thereof to engage the strand 12, lock it in place and prevent the movement of the pulley block PB to the right, as shown in FIG. 2 (in the direction of the arrow A but pemitting longitudinal movement of the block in the direction of the arrow A Journaled in the vertical arm 19 of the body member or frame BM, in close proximity with the top or T-shaped hanger portion of the pulley block PB is a latch comprising the transversely extending rod member 39 and the operating lever 40. The free end of this rod is bent at an angle in order to provide a closure means or gate when it engages the hanger brace 25 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The other end of the rod 39 extends through its hearing in the arm 19 and is secured to the lever arm 40 which has located at its free end a pivotally mounted eye bolt 41 and at its other end a notched portion 42 which cooperates with the detent pin 43 in the arm 19 to lock the lever arm 40 in a downwardly depending position as shown in FIG. 2. When lever arm 40 is locked in this position,

the bent portion of the arm 39 engages the brace 25, is locked thereagainst and completely bridges the gap between the arms 23 and 24, the brace 25 and the vertical arm 19 of the pulley block PB, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, with particular attention to FIG. 5. Conversely, when the arm is in its upwardly extending or unlocked position, as shown in FIG. 7, the free end thereof will engage the protuberance 44 on the end of the cam 36 and, acting against the tension of the spring 37, will hold the end 38 of the cam 36 out of engagement with the strand 12. The purpose of this action will be described later with particular reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. A boss on the arm 19 is provided to act as a stop for the lever arm 40.

In FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the pulley block PB of this invention is shown in its latched or constrained condition on the strand 12, that is, with the bent portion of the rod 39 preventing the block from accidentally falling from the strand and with the cam 36 locking the block against longitudinal movement in the direction of the arrow A FIG. 7 shows the pulley block PB in its unlatched position with the detent pin 43 out of engagement with the notch 42 and the arm 40 extending upwardly and with its end in engagement with the protuberance 44 on the cam 36, thereby holding the edge 38 of the cam out of engagement with the strand 12.

As shown, the above-described functions are a requisite to the placing of the pulley block PB on the strand 12 from a remote point, for example, from the ground by means of a suitable pole or rod. It has been found that a tree pruner handle, such as shown at PR in FIGS. 6 and 7, is suitable for the purpose and as shown has mounted on its upper end means for supporting the pulley block during its placement on the strand. The structure, as shown in detail in FIG. 6, also provides means for maintaining the cam 36 out of engagement with the strand 12 and at the same time holds the rod 39 in a downwardly extending position.

The tool, as shown in FIG. 6, comprises a handle PR having mounted on its upper end a suitable member which comprises a body portion 46 having spaced apart off-set extending arms 47 and 48. As shown, the free ends of these arms terminate in the bifurcated portions 49 and 50 which are adapted, as shown in FIG. 7, to engage recessed portions on the T-shaped portion of the pulley block PB to hold it in place. Extending upwardly from the member 46, in alignment with the handle PR, is an arcuate rod 51 which is adapted, as shown in FIG. 7, to engage the ring 41 to hold the lever arm 40 in its upward position.

After the pulley block PB has been positioned on the strand 12 by means of the placement tool, shown in FIG. 6 and used as shown in FIG. 7, the tool is removed thereby permitting the lever arm 40 to swing downwardly which permits the cam 36 to engage the strand 12 and be held thereagainst under the influence of the spring 37 and the bent portion of the rod 39 to swing upwardly and close the gap between the brace 25 and the arm 19 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5.

While I have shown and described the proposed embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A pulley block for installing aerial cable on a supporting strand comprising a hanger member having at its upper end an overhanging strand engaging portion, and at its lower end a return bend portion having a pulley journaled therein, a latch member positioned intermediate the ends of said hanger member, said latch member having an arm portion movable into an upwardly extending position against the strand engaging portion, locking means adjacent said latching member for maintaining said arm in an upward position, and cam means on the upper portion of said hanger member adapted to engage the strand for preventing longitudinal movement of the hanger on the strand in one direction while permitting longitudinal movement in the other direction.

2. A pulley block for installing aerial cable on a supporting strand comprising a hanger member having at its upper end an overhanging longitudinally grooved strand engaging portion, and at its lower end a return bend portion having a pulley pournaled therein, a latch mounted intermediate the ends of said hanger member, said latch having an arm portion movable into an upwardly extending position in which it engages said strand overhanging portion, locking means adjacent said latch for maintaining said arm in said upward position, and cam means on the upper portion of said hanger member adapted to engage the strand for preventing longitudinal movement of the hanger on the strand in one direction while permitting longitudinal movement in the other.

3. A pulley block for installing aerial cable on a supporting strand comprising a hanger member having at its upper end an overhanging strand engaging portion, and at its lower end a return bend portion having a pulley journaled therein, a latch, said latch having an arm portion movable into an upwardly extending position against the strand engaging portion, locking means adjacent said latch for maintaining said arm in said upward position, and cam means on the upper portion of said hanger member in operative engagement with said latch for causing the engagement and disengagement of said cam from said strand.

4. A pulley block for installing aerial cable on a sup porting strand comprising a hanger member having at its upper end an overhanging strand engaging portion comprising two spaced apart V-shaped arms having aligned grooves therein between said V-shaped arms, and at its lower end a return bend portion having a pulley journaled therein, a latch, said latch having an arm portion movable to an upwardly extending position against the strand engaging portion, locking means adjacent said latch for maintaining said arm in said upward position, and cam means on the upper portion of said hanger member adapted to engage the strand for preventing longitudinal movement of the hanger on the strand in one direction while permitting longitudinal movement in the other direction.

5. A pulley block adapted to be supported on a sup porting strand comprising a body member including a hanger adapted to overhang said strand, a pulley mounted on said body member, cam means mounted on said body member and having an operative position in which it engages said strand and an inoperative position in which it does not engage said strand, said cam means being force loaded in such manner as to urge it into its operative position, said cam means being adapted, when in its operative position, to engage said strand so as to lock the block against sliding along the strand in one direction while permitting the block to slide in the opposite direction, a movable closure mounted on said body member and having an open and closed position, said closure means being mounted in such position that when it is open the hanger can be slipped over a strand and when it is closed, with a strand in position, the strand is enclosed by the hanger and the closure so that the block cannot be displaced from the strand, said cam means and said closure means having portions which mutually engage in such manner that when the closure means is opened it forces said cam means into its inoperative position and when it is closed it permits the force loading of said can means to return the cam means to its operative position.

6. A pulley for guiding cable along a messenger strand and temporarily supporting the cable on the strand, comprising a body member having a hanger for hooking over the strand, a pulley mounted on the body member, a unidirectionally operative snubbing means comprising a 5 6 cam having an operative position against the strand and overcome the bias on the cam, whereby latching and an inoperative position, biasing means urging the cam snubbing are essentially simultaneous and vice versa. against the strand in unidirectionally clamping operative position, a latch mounted on the body and movable to References Clted 111 the file 0f thls Patent and from a latching position in which it cooperates with 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS the hanger and body to encompass the-strand, thereby constraining displacement of the block from the strand, a 1 ggfi latch actuatmg lever, said lever having a portion engage- 2566233 Makie Aug 28 1951 able with said snubbing means, when said lever is actuated to move said latch from said latching position, to 10 298O4O1 Wltmor 1961 

1. A PULLEY BLOCK FOR INSTALLING AERIAL CABLE ON A SUPPORTING STRAND COMPRISING A HANGER MEMBER HAVING AT ITS UPPER END AN OVERHANGING STRAND ENGAGING PORTION, AND AT ITS LOWER END A RETURN BEND PORTION HAVING A PULLEY JOURNALED THEREIN, A LATCH MEMBER POSITIONED INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF SAID HANGER MEMBER, SAID LATCH MEMBER HAVING AN ARM PORTION MOVABLE INTO AN UPWARDLY EXTENDING POSITION AGAINST THE STRAND ENGAGING PORTION, LOCKING MEANS ADJACENT SAID LATCHING MEMBER FOR MAINTAINING SAID ARM IN AN UPWARD POSITION, AND CAM MEANS ON THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID HANGER MEMBER ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE STRAND FOR PREVENTING LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF THE HANGER ON 